Before leaving Zambia, Kondwani Ngulube's sense of belonging was sparked by the practical warmth and responsiveness of SU International, which eased the massive anxiety of moving to a new country. His true moment of belonging occurred on day one at Helderberg Men’s Residence, when the student leadership went out of their way to greet him in his home language, Nyanja, signaling that his culture was celebrated rather than just tolerated. Moving from his undergraduate degree into an MSc in Horticultural Sciences, he transitioned from receiving hospitality to building it — co-founding a Zambian student community, joining residence leadership, and serving on the AMANI board to actively enrich the pan-African campus experience.

Coming from Zimbabwe, where leadership is culturally reserved for the elderly, international student Shanice Kantuchitani was empowered by the abundance of accessible, student-led opportunities at Stellenbosch University. After pandemic isolation, she became a house committee member at Nemesia Residence, finding her purpose in mentoring incoming international students and championing representation. She expanded her impact across campus by easing student isolation through the Matie Buddy Programme, leading ZIMSOC to honor Zimbabwean culture, and joining the AMANI board to build a united, inclusive pan-African campus.

About the Webinar: Intercultural competence has emerged as a critical foundation for Pan-African peacebuilding, enabling practitioners to navigate diverse identities, histories, and value systems across conflict-affected contexts. Drawing on the work of the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative in South Africa, Uganda, and South Sudan since 2012, it is evident that culturally grounded dialogue, youth empowerment, and leadership-based peacebuilding training can transform tensions into collaborative problem-solving. These experiences demonstrate that sustainable conflict resolution in Africa depends not only on institutional frameworks but also on the cultivation of mutual respect, empathy, and indigenous embedded knowledge systems.

As a Ugandan clinical microbiologist, Joel Kabugo's work focuses on expanding diagnostic access and addressing continental health challenges, having led a pediatric tuberculosis diagnostic rollout in Uganda and now conducting childhood HIV genomic research at Stellenbosch. He joined the African STARS Fellowship at the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) because the program intentionally targets resource and training gaps found within national laboratory systems. Joel experienced a true sense of connection and belonging through open, multicultural collaboration and interactive seminars on scaling healthcare , which solidified his vision of empowering African researchers to solve African problems.

For Celestine Kemunto Nyamari, moving from Kenya to Stellenbosch meant navigating the heavy and unfamiliar weight of leaving family behind to pursue professional growth. As both a mother and a scientist, the integration process required balancing personal responsibilities with the challenge of settling into a new country. Belonging was ultimately discovered through the kindness of people and simple daily rhythms — like shared meals and runs — that transformed a geographic move into a genuine sense of community.

Day 2: On Wednesday 13 May 2026, we will host a special Japanese cultural engagement event, offering students and staff an opportunity to experience and learn more about Japanese culture (Japanese festival dance, karate, origami, and calligraphy) Venue: Crossley Room in Krotoa Time: 13:30 -14:30

The SU Japan Centre together with the current cohort of SU Japanese international students, warmly invites you to attend the “Spirit of Wa” Japanese cultural event, over two days next week. Day 1: On Monday 11 May 2026, we are pleased to invite you to a short karate performance and lesson, which will showcase traditional Japanese martial arts through a dynamic and engaging demonstration. Venue: Neelsie Stage Time: 13:00-14:00 Day 2: On Wednesday 13 May 2026, we will host a special Japanese cultural engagement event, offering students and staff an opportunity to experience and learn more about Japanese culture (Japanese festival dance, karate, origami, and calligraphy) Venue: Crossley Room in Krotoa Time: 13:30 -14:30

Moses Shambare, an international student from Zimbabwe, identifies his moment of belonging as the transition from feeling overwhelmed to being embraced by the familial warmth and hospitality of the SUI office. Moses' integration was solidified by the combination of reliable administrative guidance from the immigration and finance teams and transformative cultural competence workshops that helped him honor his identity within the university community. His sense of belonging reached its peak when he became a part-time SUI driver, allowing him to personally welcome new international arrivals into the same nurturing "International Family" that anchored his own academic journey.

Stellenbosch University postgraduate students and candidates are invited to apply for the VIU International PhD Academy, taking place from 14–19 September 2026.

The Stellenbosch University Japan Centre in association with the Embassy of Japan in South Africa is glad to invite you to the JET Programme info session on 7 May 2026.